Collapsible and inviolable case of box.



Pten'ted Nov. 26, l90l. F.- RAIBAUD & A. mosses. COLLAPSIBLE AND INVIULABLE CASE UR 80X.

3 Sheats-8heet (Application filed Apr. 20, 1901.)

(No Mode l.)

I. Lllll w'flmassesz i a 4) No. 687,488. Pat ented Nov. 26, 1901.

F. RAIBAU'D & A. mossm.

COLLAPSIBLE AND INVIDLABLE CASE 0R BOX.

(Application filed Apr. 20, 1901.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-'-Sheet 2.

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No. 687,488. I Patented Nov. 26, I90l.

F. BAIBAUD &. A. MDSSEH.

" CULLAPSIBLE AND INVIOLABLE CASE 0R BOX.

(Application filed Apr. 20, 1901.) (I0 Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3..

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NITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

FORTUNF RAIBAUD AND AUGUSTE MOSSER, OF MARSEILLES, FRANCE.

COLLA PS-IBLEA ND INVIOLABLE CASE OR BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 687,488, dated November 26, 1901.

Application filed April 20, 1901- Scrial No. 56,710. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, FORTUNE: RAIBAUD and AUGUSTE MOSSER, citizens of the French Republic, and residents of Marseilles,France, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Collapsible and .Inviolable Cases or Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

Our present invention relates to improvements in collapsible and inviolable cases, the object being to provide a device of this kind adapted to be readily and easily put together and taken to pieces and which when assembled has the same resistance as an ordinary case or box.

With this object in view the invention consists of the construction and novel combination of parts fully described and claimed'hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a portion of this specification, Figure 1 is a perspective View of the improved collapsible case assembled. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the bottom detached. Fig. 3 isa bottom plan view of same. Fig. 4 is a section on line A B of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a section on line C D of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is an elevation of one of the two larger sides of the box. Fig. 7 is a side View of one of the angle-pieces adapted to the larger sides. Fig. 8 is a section on E F of Fig. 6. Fig. 9 is a section on G H of Fig. 6. Fig. 10 is a plan view of the part shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 11 is a top view of same part. Fig. 12 is an elevation of the left side of the part shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 13 is an elevation of the right side of the same part. Fig. 14 is an elevation of the part shown in Fig. 6 as seen from the inside. Fig. 15 is an elevation of one of the smaller sides of the case. Fig. 16 is a section on the line I J of Fig. 15. Fig. 17 is a section on the line K L of Fig. 15. Fig. 18 is an elevation of the side shown in Fig. 15, the top being taken off. Fig. .19 is a similar view of the other smaller side. Fig. 20 is a plan View of the top of the case. Fig. 21 is a section on the line M N of Fig. 20. Fig. 22 is a section on the line P Q of Fig. 20. Figs. 23 to 28 represent details showing how the parts are assembled to form the case. Fig. 29

shows a view in perspective of a case constructed on the same principles as that shown in Fig. 1, this second case being unprovided with strips and only being intended to contain light articles. Fig. 30 is a view of the bottom of the case as seen from beneath. Fig. 31 is a section on R R of Fig. 30. Fig. 32 is an elevation of one of the sides. Fig. 33 is a section on the line T T of Fig. 32 Fig. 31is a section on S S of Fig. Fig. 35 is an elevation of one of the ends. Fig. 36 is a section on VV of Fig. 35. Fig. 37 is a section on U U of Fig. 35. Fig. 38 is a plan view of the cover. Fig. 39 is a section on X X of- Fig. 38. Fig. 40 is a section on Y Y of Fig. 38.

The case is in the form of a parallelepipedon having a rectangular base. It has six independent sides-that is to say, they can be readily separated from one another without using any instrument. \Vhen put together, this case is as strong as any ordinary one. The bottom is composed of a board 1 of the required size and is rectangular in shape, Fig. 2. To the under side of the bottom are nailed four cross-strips 2 3 4c 5,forming a frame. The strips 2 and 4 form an extension, Fig. 2. To the strips 3 and 5 are fastened round-headed screws 6, which serve to protect the strips. The two larger sides are identical,and each is composed of a board 7 of the required size. Viewed from the exterior each of the larger sides appears as represented in Fig. 6. On the board 7 are nailed four strips 8 9 1O 11, which inclose it, as in a frame. Above the strips are nailed on the four sides smallanglepieces 12, having the form shown in Fig. 7. It is the branch 13 which is nailed against the cross-strips. The branch 14 is recessed at the middle.

The ends or smaller sides of the box are identical with each other, except that one of them is a trifle higher than the other, the difference being equal to the thickness of the board of which the top of the box is made plus the thickness of the strip.

The ends or smaller sides of the box are formed of a rectangular board 15', surrounded by four cross-strips 16 17 18 19, of which the lower strip 16 alone extends beyond the board 15, forming the side, Fig. 15. To the strips 17 and 19 are screwed button-headed screws 6, similar to those screwed to the bottom of the box. If when the case is formed this smaller side were shown in elevation, the top of the box removed, it would appear as in Fig.

18. The other side is identical with the one just descrihed,exceptthatitisali'ttle higherthat is to say, the difference between the heights of the two smaller sides or ends is equal to the thickness of one of the boards.

The top is formed of a rectangular board 20, its length being a trifle less than that of the bottom, the difference being equal to the thickness of one of the boards.

The top board 20 of the box is framed by four cross-strips 21 22 23 24, nailed to it, Figs. 20 to 22. The strip 21 overlaps the plank 20, constituting the top of the box. As in the case of the bottom and sides, the strips '22 and 24 are provided with screws 6, having round projecting heads.

The assemblage is effected as follows: The bottom is first placed in the position shown in Fig. 2. Then one of the larger sides is placed asshown in Fig. 6, after which the heads of the screws 6 are caused to enter the recesses formed by the angle-pieces, as shown in Fig. 23, which is a vertical section of the two parts thus assembled. The same process is repeated with the other of the larger side boards. The three assembled parts constitute a whole, the plan view of which is shown in Fig. 24. The two end parts are then slipped into the spaces left between the wings 25 of the vertical angle parts and the wings 26 of the horizontal angle parts. In order to prevent the two end boards from being displaced before the top or cover is put on, an cyepin 27, Figs. 26 and 27, is screwed into the bottom at the middle of its length, to which is connecteda steel spring 28, fastened to the corresponding end piece. The other end piece is held in a similar manner. When the five parts (bottom piece, two sides, and two ends) arein position,the cover or top piece is introduced from the side or the smaller panel by sliding it in the space left, as shown in Fig. 18, between the two wings of the angle-pieces 29 30 and the upper part of the smaller side 31 32. The heads of the screws 6 slide in the grooves made in the wings of the angle-pieces 29 30. The cover is held in place by means of a screw 33, the head of which is countersunk in the cross-strip. The screw passes through the top or cover itself and is screwed into the small side piece, Figs. 27, and'28.

As the box cannot be opened without withdrawing the screw 33, a wax seal can be applied to the head of the said screw, and as long as this seal is untampered with it will be evident that the box has not been opened.

The box may be made of any suitable material with or without nails. The angles of the box are provided with corner-pieces divided into two parts, thus forming hinges.

The inviolability of the case is further assured in the following manner: Toward the top of each end is placed a fastening 34, consisting of two small plates hinged to each other. One of these plates is nailed to the said end, while the other plate, falling on the cover, has two eyelets formed at its end, be-

eyebolt in the said cover. A pin is passed through theeyelets and the ring, which may then be sealed with lead. Moreover, a small bolt 35, engaging a small socket 38, fixed to the case, enters a slot 36, made in a small plate 37, fixed to the bottom of the case, and remains fixed therein by giving it a quarter of a turn, the end of the said bolt being flat and bent to a right angle. Besides this it is impossible to prize open any part of the case to appropriate its contents, because the joints are properly protected by anglepieces. The above-described case is intended to contain heavy goods, the strips being intended to strengthen the case.

For cases intended to contain only light goods the strips are not used. Figs. 29 and 40 show such a case in perspective and details thereof.

The bottom shown in Fig. 30 is simply a board 39, provided with round-headed screws 6. Each of the larger sides, Fig. 32, consists of a board 40, to which are nailed the anglepieces 41. Each end, Fig. 35, is formed of a board 42,furnished with rou nd-headed screws 6, and with a fastening device 34. Finally, the cover, Fig. 38, is a board 43', also provided with round-headed screws 6.

The assembled case is also provided with a safety-screw, as in the construction previously described. The spring 28 and the eyebolt 27 are omitted. The assemblage of this case is performed in the same manner as in the construction previously described.

The case may be made of wood, iron, cardboard, paper, &c., with or without nails.

Having fully described our invention, what we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Pat-- out, is

1. In a collapsible and inviolable box, the combination with a bottom, cross-strips enframing said bottom two of said strips having round headed screws secured thereto, boards forming the sides of the box, crossstrips enframing said sides, each cross-strip having an angle-piece fastened on one of its sides to the strip, the other side of the anglepiece having a groove formed therein, ends enframed by cross-strips, the said ends being of unequal height, the vertical strips of each end having round headed screws secured thereto to engage in grooves or recesses provided therefor in the angle-strips,and a cover, substantially as described.

2. In a collapsible and inviolable box, the combination with a bottom formed of a rectangular board under which are nailed four cross strips enframing it, two of the said strips being provided with round headed screws projecting downwardly, two rectangular boards forming the larger sides of the box, each enframed by four cross-strips and each of the latter being provided with an angle piece fastened on one of its sides to the strip, the other side of the said angle-piece being ICC recessed so as to form an inner groove, the two smaller sides or ends of the box being formed each of a board framed by four crosspieces,one of the above-mentioned end boards being higher than the other, the dilference being equal to the thickness of the top board plus the thickness of the cross-strip, the two vertical strips of each end board being provided with screws having round projecting heads to engage in the grooves in the angle pieces, substantially as described and as shown.

3. In a collapsible and inviolable box, the combination with a bottom, formed of a rectangular board, under which are nailed four cross-strips enframing it, two of the said strips being provided with round-headed screws projecting downwardly, two rectangular boards forming the larger sides of the box, each enframed by four cross-strips and each of the latter being provided with an anglepiece fastened on one of its sides to the strip, the other side of' the said angle-piece being recessed so as to form an inner groove, the two smaller sides or ends of the box being formed each of a board framed by four crosspieces one of the above-mentioned end boards being higher than the other, the difference being equal to the thickness of the top board plus the thickness of the cross-strip, the two vertical strips of each end board being provided with screws having round projecting heads and a cover or top piece formed of a rectangular board, the length of which is a little less than that of the bottom board, the difierence being equal to the thickness of a board, this bottom board being enframed by four strips one of which extends beyond the boards forming the cover, two of the crossstrips being provided with round headed screws, which, when the case is being asse1nbled, engage in the grooves formed by therecessed angle-pieces of the larger sides,a spring fixed to the inside of each of the end boards, hooked to an eyepin on the bottom board, in order to prevent the said end boards from fallin g out of their respective positions before the cover is placed thereon, substantially as described and as shown.

4. In a collapsible and inviolable box, the combination with the bottom, round-headed screws carried by said bottom, sides, anglepieces enframing said sides, ends, roundheaded screws carried by said ends, a cover, round-headed screws carried thereby to engage in recesses in the angle-pieces, and a fastening device 34 carried by one of said ends to engage the cover and secure same in position, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands in presence of two witnesses.

FORTUNE RAIBAUD. AUGUSTE MOSSER. Witnesses:

ADOLPH SHERMAN, EDWARD P. MACLEAN. 

